picks

Hello hello my friends! Hope y’all had a great Christmas and will have an even better new year! I for one, cannot freaking fathom how 2018 is just around the corner. I’ll most likely be curled up on the couch with my dog watching a movie with some champs, but for those of you going out, I know how stressful NYE outfits can be. You want glitz, but not too much glitter, fun, but not something too over the top… I feel you on finding that balance. So I’m share with y’all my secret.

My go to for any party outfit goes as follows…

statement piece + basic = PARTYPARTYPARTY

It’s no secret I am obsessed with my black turtleneck haha. I’ve featured it on another recent post too. I just love how chic it is paired with a skirt. So bottom line, go get yourself one (you will never put it down). How amazing is this fringe skirt? I found it at our last call Dillards this summer and got such a great deal on it! I thought the black on black was “dressy” enough for NYE but also super comfortable and at least a lil bit warm.

Here’s a few ideas for y’all if you’re not into the fringe skirt + turtleneck combo. I tried to have a look for any NYE plans (house party, going out, freezing temps, warm temps… you get it).

I would so do (1) black culottes (I am about to buy bc #obsessed), fun top, chunky heel for something more dressy. If it’s warm where ya are (2) a black jean skirt with a fun statement belt, chunky sweater, booties would be so casual chic. For those who wanna be a lil flashy do a (3) sequin top, black flares, chunky heel. You can always do that “classic” NYE look with (4) a fun dress with a fur jacket. If you’re a romper gal, do (5) a basic romper with some statement jewelry — earrings, necklaces, bracelets really just whatever you like best.

Y’all let me know what your plans are below! Are you going out or staying in?

Happy 2017! What the heck.. Can’t even believe I’m saying that. But before I can dive into all that is the new year, I’ll go ahead and recap my month of December. It was a great one, full of lots of work + a little play.

Merry Christmas from Alpha Phi! Our annual Christmas party was at the very end of November, + it was nothing short of a great time. I honestly had no clue what to wear, so I cut a bright green tee + laced some ribbon through the front. I added a bandana tied into a neck scarf (I’m thinking about bringing this trend back.. opinions?) + my Hunter boots for a Christmas themed OOTD.

Hi my name is Madison + I am a coke addict. In an attempt to stop drinking so much coke, I’ve taken up La Criox. This summer I drank La Croix constantly + now that I am home, I’ve started again. I loooove the carbonation of it + there are quite a few flavors to pick from! It’s helped me curb that coke craving pretty well.

Christmas this year was a super laid back day. We sipped on sangria, watched some football + a little White Christmas (one of my favorite Christmas movies), as well as ate a delish dinner. I styled my Adidas superstars with this adorable Free People shift dress. I unpacked it at work and minutes later I has swiped my credit card… Can you say compulsive shopper?

This faux leather number is such a fun piece for day or night. I styled in a blog post here. Cognac is a great color to transition from fall to winter + winter to spring.

Baton Rouge’s weather has been oddly warm, which was super disappointing during the holidays. I’ve been dressing for this warmth with light sweaters, jeans, and skirts. This sweater is a great oversized one, + I loved the look when paired with my black mini (similar)!

As a bargain hunter, I was extremely pleased with the amount of sales this After Christmas season! I ended up picking up a few basics the other day, but I’m hoping I can add a few more fun items to my closet (it’s in need of some new clothes stat)!

The holidays are for spending time with family + that’s exactly what I did. We had a fam pizza making night, complete with 9 different types of pizza (aka my heaven). Ahh, I’m drooling thinking back on it.

Hands down my new fave shoe. I swear I’ll find a way to make then go with everything I own. Comfort + style, it cannot get better. I’m doing a sneaker styling post next week so stay tuned!

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My music favorites for this month:

My music taste has slowly evolved into such a mix of oldies, pop, country + and pretty much anything in between. The 80’s has me enthralled + I’ve been jamming to a lot of older music.

Loves to Lay by The Weeknd

Her Diamonds by Rob Thomas

The Goonies ‘r’ Good Enough by Cyndi Lauper

My beauty favorites for this month:

Can we just say that I am the definition of boring + have tried zero new products this month. On the other hand, it’s called practicality, or finishing the copious amounts of what ya have.

Well, I was expecting to post on Wednesday as I normally do but I ended up falling asleep at 6pm and sleeping through the night (whoops). My sleep schedule is extremely chaotic at the moment, y’all. In a fit of trying to mentally prepare myself for the upcoming school year, I have been reading up on planners of every type. For the past four years, I have used the Lilly Pulitzer Planner and I have really loved it but I’m looking for something different this school year (maybe I’m getting more sophisticated or something…? Lol).

I’ve narrowed down my choices to these four and I have to say I am having a super hard time deciding. The May Designs Agenda is bound, which I love the idea of because my spirals always seem to fall apart mid year. It is a smaller size than the rest though, and I am worried I won’t able to fit it all, but it would be great to throw in my bag and take on the go. The ban.do agenda is the front runner in my mind right now. It is business on the front and a real party on the inside. One of my fave features of this agenda is that it does not have lines under each day in the week view. I’m sure y’all have heard of the Erin Condren Life Planner™ at some point or another. It’s a customizable planner with the option of vertical or horizontal week layout (which I love) as well as the option to design your own cover that can be interchangeable. It is the most expensive out of the bunch, but it sure does a lot! Lastly, the Whitney English Day Designer™ is standing out for me because it’s set up on the week view by time. Being a full-time college student, treasurer of my sorority, working a part-time job and blogging — I’m thinking a timed schedule might just be what I need!

Have y’all been able to decide on one planner out of the millions for this school year? Pretty please leave me a comment helping me to decide which I should get for this year!

I’m all about dat glowy summer face this summer. With extremely oily skin (I’m talking the use two full oil wipes), I have to be careful not to go overboard with the luminescence because no one wants to look like a light bulb. This is my go to face for the summer, so I thought I would share and see what y’all think.

Breakin’ it down

I always prime my skin before foundation/tinted moisturizer to be sure it’ll last all day. Neutrogena Shine control is a rice-based primer that helps mattify my skin. Laura Mercer Tinted Moisturizer is probably one of my all time favorite products ever. I love the coverage that it gives and the oil free version is a godsend. Due to my super oily skin, setting powder is a must. For years I’ve been using the Makeup Forever HD Powder and I am a huge fan. It makes my skin look airbrushed! For a glowy highlight/blush, MAC’s Mineralized Skin Finish does the trick. The one I have is super duper old and I’m pretty sure it’s been discontinued but MAC has lots of other color options in stock. I love their MSF’s because they aren’t chalked full of chunky glitter. When you swirl this one together, you get a beautiful desert rose color (I swatched it in the third to last picture). To set my face, I like a matte setting spray like NYX’s Matte Setting Spray.

As far as eyes go, I love eyeliner but I have been *trying* to steer away from it during the summer for a fresher look (keyword: trying. No really y’all I am an eyeliner addict). I always do a shimmery lid for summer, and MAC makes amazing cream shadows that last ALL DAY (not even exaggerating). MAC Bare Study Paint Pot is the perfect champagne color. I swatched it in the last picture. Mascara wise (I am constantly changing my mascara up) lately I have been using Maybelline the Falsies and I really like it.

As y’all are well aware and have seen in previous posts (aka this one and this one) I am obsessed with Revlon lip products. The Just Bitten Balm + Stain in particular is an all time fave. This light pink color looks good with any outfit and polishes off my makeup look.

Do y’all have any must have products for summer I should know about?

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In pursuit of a fun summer color, I stumbled upon this beauty. OPI Cajun Shrimp is the perfect summer color for your fingers and toes. Did I mention this coral looks stunning with a tan? Per usual, the formulation was on point. I will be wearing this one into fall to go with my chunky knits and jeans! Honestly this color could go year round so don’t hesitate to pick it up in a cooler month.

When I hear the word “sale” my eyes light up. Who doesn’t love to save money? I do that’s for sure. Nordstrom is currently holding their Half-yearly sale of 40% off until June 5. Yeah you heard me right. You’ve still got about 9 good days to shop this sale. Check out my picks below!

shop the sale

Let me know if y’all end up getting anything! Send me a comment, I love talking to readers :-) Lots of love!!

Graduation season is among us! I literally remember graduating from high school like it was yesterday! It’s crazy how time flies! Graduation season brings a lot of crawfish boils (if you live in LA like me), and lots of gift giving. While money is always appreciated, sometimes it’s nice to give a physical item to show how much you care. So I’ve scoured the internet to bring to you 10 grad gifts under $40!

// ban.do portable charger //

My portable charger saved my life this year. Seriously. I took it with me for long game days, nights out, or as a “just in case.” I loved the charger that plugged straight into my phone so I didn’t have to carry around cords! This one from ban.do is adorable, yet so functional!

// coco and the little black dress //

Forever wishing I had a coloring book freshman year to relieve stress. Coco Chanel + coloring — it can’t get any better than that. Take this bad boy to the library for a study break, or just keep in your room to unwind at night.

// ban.do passport cover + luggage tag //

This little duo is perfect for a traveler! You’ll never misplace your luggage with this luggage tag, and this passport cover is just the cutest.

// voluspa candle //

Voluspa has THE BEST candles hands down. The packaging is so aesthetically pleasing and there’s such a wide variety of scents offered. Burning a candle in my room is one of my favorite things to do at night before bed — aka making this the perfect gift for a grad!

// bauble bar coordinates necklace //

This year I purchased a bar necklace and it’s become one of my favorite accessories. This bar necklace is customizable with coordinates! I’m thinking coordinates of home or maybe school would make it really special.

// alex + ani bangle //

Another one of my basic pieces that I can pair with anything and everything! Alex + Ani bangles are a sweet, yet simple gift that will be put to good use in any girl’s stack.

// s’well bottle //

Y’all know my thoughts on S’well bottles — love, love, love! I toted mine around all of second semester and I loved how stylish it was, while keeping my water cold. This is a great gift for an entering college student to use on campus, or graduating college student to use at the office.

// target reversible tote //

A big tote is a must for me at anytime of year! I love this one from Target because of the price and the fact that it’s reversible. This would be a fantastic over night bag, carry on, or even just everyday purse (if you have lots of stuff to tote around like me).

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On my radar for this crazy month of April is a mix of some beauty, fashion and fun. I’ve really been all over the place this month trying so many new things. I cannot think about April being almost over and May coming up right around the corner…. Summer come quick, but not too quick! Keep reading to find out what the heck I’ve been obsessed with this month.

// sam edelman ervan gladiator sandals //

I’d be lying if I told you I haven’t been obsessed with these sandals for the past two months. Every time I see them mentioned on a blog, boutique or magazine I die a little inside. I am in love with the cork sole and the studded exterior. I could see myself wearing these with dresses, shorts, skirts, and even jeans. Eventually these babes will be mine!!

// head and shoulders lavender shampoo + conditioner //

As a someone who is extremely impatient, I so frequently get tired of my shampoo and conditioner. I recently switched to this one after noticing how dry my scalp was. I love the smell and it’s really helped me curb my dry scalp. Would recommend this!

// covergirl the super sizer mascara //

I am soo dang particular about mascara, so often times I end up trying quite a few before I find one I like. My friend Catherine recommended this one to me and her lashes are always bomb so I picked it up from Walgreens one day. Can I just say…. DAMN. I love this mascara – the formula is perfect and does exactly what I want (volume and length) and the black color is striking!

// i like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful and so unaware of it (the 1975’s second album) //

One of my favorite bands recently released their new album and I’ve been LISTENING NONSTOP!! I’m not even kidding y’all. The whole album has an 80’s sound and it is amazing. Some of my faves are “This must be my dream” (I listen at least four times a day), “The sound” (so catchy), and “Lostmyhead.” I’ll link the album on spotify right here.

// off the shoulder tops //

Festival season is here and I have seen this off the shoulder trend EVERYWHERE. I am on the hunt for some affordable off the shoulder tops to wear this summer. I linked some I like a lot below.

// luster now! instant whitening toothpaste //

After a random trip to Walmart in need of some toothpaste, I walked away with this. It promises whiter teeth after every brushing. I’ve been seeing some results from it, and I’m happy about that. Ya girl drinks too much coffee (caramel macchiato erryday) so I’m always concerned about yellowing teeth. I would recommend for the price!

// alex and and charm bracelet //

I have one alex and ani bracelet and I want to get a few more so I can stack them with my watch. I love gold jewelry, so I’m leaning towards an Alpha Phi bangle so I can rep everywhere I go.

// saint laurent espadrille wedge sandal //

The espadrille is back and better than ever y’all. This year especially, I have been super into shoes. I love these for the spring and summer to pair with a dress or some shorts. They are so stinking cute. The only downside? The $500 price tag. I guess I’ll need to start saving or find a cheaper alternative… :/

current obsessions for april

Any thing y’all are obsessed with that I should know about? Share with me below! Until next time my loves…